MULTAN: The Federal Board of Revenue has cleared Additional Collector Muhammad Talib Hussain from inquiry after imposing minor penalty of holding two increments and advised him to remain careful in future.

According to details, Federal Board of Revenue has initiated disciplinary action against Additional (PCS/BS-19) Collector Muhammad Talib Hussain for misconduct during his posting in Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Karachi. Additional Collector Muhammad Talib Hussain was posted in the Directorate of Post Clearance Audit Karachi on 17/02/2016 as Deputy Director (BS-18) and he was given charge sheet due to allegations of unauthorized absence from duty for 199 days from 16/06/2014 to 31/12/2014 under Government Servants (E&D) Rules 1973.

The Federal Board of Revenue had appointed (PCS/BS-20) Syed Tanvir Ahmad as an inquiry officer to conduct probe into the charges leveled against the accused Officer. The Inquiry Officer submitted his report against Additional Collector Muhammad Talib Hussain on 30 April 2018 according to which charges against the officer had not been proved. However the inquiry Officer had recommended and advised said officer to remain careful in future.

But Federal Board of Revenue Member (Admin) issued show cause notice to Muhammad Talib Hussain after showing dissatisfaction in the inquiry report and asked him to submit written reply in said matter. Additional Collector Talib Hussain submitted response that leave already applied may be regularized and he prayed to member (Admin) to withdraw the show-cause notice.

Additional Collector Muhammad Talib Hussain was appeared before the Member (Admin) for personal hearing on 12 April 2019 where he pleaded his innocence for his absence from Office and denied all charges leveled against him.

He described that he was facing several family issues as his mother was ill and suffered from the attack of paralysis and his child was also sick and he did not approach the concerned officer for confirmation whether his leave application has been accepted or not on the grounds due to these issues.

Member (Admin) after examining all available case record, inquiry report and reply to the show cause notice and verbal submissions made by accused officer during the course of personal hearing found him guilty of misconduct only.

Therefore he was imposed a minor penalty of withholding of two increments without two cumulative effect under Rule 4(I)(a)(ii) of the Government Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules 1973 and his unauthorized absence from duty for 199 days may be treated as extra ordinary leave (leave without pay) under the rules.